An artist's rendition of a Delta 9 Lifestyles retail store and clinic. A consortium of Delta 9 Cannabis Inc. and Canopy Growth Corporation is among the four companies that will be allowed to operate retail locations for recreational cannabis in Manitoba. (CNW Group/Delta 9 Cannabis Inc.)

Manitoba's Progressive Conservative government, which has been cool to Ottawa's plan to legalize cannabis, is now espousing enthusiasm for an unfettered marijuana retail experience.

After announcing the four private companies or consortiums that will retail cannabis in the province, Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Blaine Pedersen pledged to take a hands-off approach to pot sales in an effort to combat the black market for marijuana and compete with more restrictive cannabis regimes in other provinces.

"We don't want to get too proscriptive into how you set up your store because this is private enterprise. This is the whole idea," Pedersen said Friday outside his office at the Manitoba legislative building.

"You've seen other provinces [with] government stores setting up and that's good for them. We believe this is a better model."

Pedersen's comments followed Manitoba's selection of four entities allowed to operate retail locations for recreational cannabis. The province says it has conditionally accepted proposals from:

A consortium of Delta 9 Cannabis Inc. and Canopy Growth Corporation — Delta 9 operates an 80,000-square-foot production facility in Winnipeg and expects to hire approximately 100 people for production and retail in the first year, and an additional 100 the following year. Canopy Growth is headquartered in Smiths Falls, Ont., and operates numerous production facilities across Canada and around the world with over 700,000 square feet of production licensed under Canada's medical cannabis framework.

Tokyo Smoke — A wholly owned subsidiary of Hiku Brands Company, in partnership with BOBHQ, a Manitoba-based head shop that operates several retail locations.

10552763 Canada Corporation — The corporation is a new entity featuring Avana Canada Inc. of Ontario, Fisher River Cree Nation of Manitoba, Chippewas of the Thames of Ontario, MediPharm Labs of Ontario, and U.S.-based retailer Native Roots Dispensary.

The number of stores and locations where each group will be allowed to operate must still be worked out.

"Our primary concern from the start has been public safety, and this will continue to be paramount," Pedersen said.

"We've worked quickly and diligently, and we're confident that we're on track to have retail locations begin operating in Manitoba as early as July 2."

If the federal government delays the legalization of cannabis until August, that just means the province will have extra time to work out any wrinkles, the minister added.

John Arbuthnot, CEO of Delta 9 Cannabis, says he is aiming for big things with a large retail presence in the province.

"I would love to see a chain of dozens of Delta 9 Lifestyle Cannabis stores open in the next few years, but [we're] working with the province to see exactly what they're looking for and exactly what we will be allowed to do under this licence," he said.

Ultimately, he said, he would like "upwards of 90-100 stores just in the Greater Winnipeg area."

Delta 9 expects to add 200 jobs in Manitoba for both production and retail over the first 24 months following legalization.

He said Delta 9's retail stores would be something akin to an Apple store in esthetic but would not be as free-wheeling as a Colorado weed dispensary, where large canisters of cannabis line the walls.

Conditions must be met

The Manitoba government asked for proposals in early November and "following a thorough evaluation process, it has been determined that these four proposals best meet the criteria outlined in the RFP [request for proposals]," Pedersen said.

However, he added, the acceptance of the proposals is conditional upon several factors, including reaching all of the necessary agreements and providing the required documents as outlined in the RFP.

Manitoba Trade Minister Blaine Pedersen said his province does not want to dictate the way private retailers sell weed. (Justin Fraser/CBC)

The Manitoba Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority will now conduct background checks on the companies to make sure there is no criminal element involved — in the history of the companies, in the physical makeup of the store or how the product will be set out and sold, Pedersen said.

No final approval to any potential licensee will be given until that has been completed.​

After that, the province will examine further ways to "engage with Indigenous communities regarding on-reserve cannabis retail opportunities and with the Association of Manitoba Municipalities on promoting access to retail throughout the province," Pedersen said."...